Natural Resources Wales

The good idea

Natural Resources Wales were conducting a series of trial projects in river catchments across Wales, one of which was the Tawe in Swansea. The trials took an ecosystems approach, which means taking into account a full range of inter-relating factors, including human activity and the urban environment. NRW wanted to connect the stunning natural assets of the city’s eastside (the river Tawe, Kilvey Hill and Crymlyn Bog as well as the Tennant Canal) with the city and sought our help to develop a strategy to help make it happen.

What we did

We began with a workshop with NRW officers to develop a clear outcomes framework for the work, placed within the wider context of the Tawe Trial. We then proceeded an urban design study, including a range of key stakeholder discussions involving local government Councillors and officers, NRW officers and local interest groups. The work culminated in a report and accompanying 3d visualisation in the form of a fly through, which we augmented with an action planning workshop for NRW officers to progress the ideas.

Results of our work

Our work was very well received by NRW and they and partners are seeking to progress the initiatives outlined in the report as part of a long term strategy for the area.

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Swansea Eastside Connections

"Working with you has stimulated fresh ideas across departments in Natural Resources Wales. The project, which was completed as part of our trial into natural resource management has provided us with a set of principles to help NRW sustainably manage our natural assets in the urban environment for people, the environment and the economy. Working with you has allowed our staff at local level to create connections with other organisations in your network for future collaboration. Your staff were very communicative throughout the project and have a creative outlook, which has encouraged local staff in NRW to be more flexible and innovative in our approach, seeing opportunities not barriers. The local knowledge not only of the surrounding environment but, also the many organisations who worked within the project area was invaluable. A professional high quality report was delivered to schedule, which is appropriate for us to use in our discussions with a range of stakeholders from community members to local Councillors and Assembly Members. A pleasure to work with."